Laundry machine



May 21, 1935 J. B. KIRBY 2,001,965

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed Spt. 8, 1950 Patented May 2l, 1.935

UNITED STATES Mists LAUNDRY y James B. Kirlm West Bicheld. Ohio,al'lignor, by mesnc assignments, to The Apex Electrical ManufacturingCompany, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio, as trustee ApplicationSeptember 8, 1930, Serial No. 480,424

20 Claims. (Cl. 68-15) This invention relates to washing machines andhas especial reference to that type of machine, used for domesticwashing,` wherein the washing liquid is extracted from the articlesafter washing by rapid rotation of the same tub or container in whichthe washing is effected.

The objects of the invention are the provision of a new, improved, andsimplified mechanism for producing the washing and drying operations;the provision` of new and improved mechanism of this type wherein anagitator or washing member is arranged within the tub or container inwhich the articles are washed and moves relatively to the tub orcontainer to effect the washing operation, together with means fordriving the tub or container through connection with the washing memberwhen the drying operation is to be eifected; the provision of mechanismof this character in which a shiftable shaft is adapted for connectionto driving mechanism for imparting motion to said shaft, and whereinlowering of the shaft effects connection of the tub or containertherewith and raising of the shaft effects disconnection, together witha friction clutch for effecting such connection, coupled with means formore tightly engaging ythe clutch at the start of its driving connectionwhenever necessary; the provision of a new and improved means forstoring the washing liquid during the extracting operation providing apartial enclosing casing for the washing and drying devices, togetherwith a detachable hood or shield substantially completing saidenclosure, and adapted to catch any liquid thrown from-the washing tubor container; the provision of a detachable trough member for collectingliquid thrown onto the shield, and returning such liquid to the storagecasing, or discharging the same entirely from the machine; while furtherobjects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as thedescription proceeds.

In the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this application Ihave shown certain physical structures in which my inventive ideas maybe embodied, although it will be understood that the drawing is intendedto be merely illustrative of the general principles of my invention andnot to be exhaustive of the designs and constructions whereby thoseprinciples can be applied.

Figure l is a vertical sectional view through the center of the washingmachine, showing the driving mechanism connected to rotate the tub orcontainer. Figure 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional viewcorresponding to the line 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 isa View similar toFigure l showing the driving -mechanism in position to drive theagitator relatively to the tub or container. Figure 4 is a fragmentaryhorizontal sectional view corresponding to the line 4-4 of `Figure 3.-Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a slightlydiiferent embodiment of the invention and Figure 6 is a fragmentaryhorizontal sectional view corresponding to the line 6 3 of Figure 5.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawing, I0 indicates a supportingframe having web Il and a marginal upstanding rib I2, and a skirt I3 towhich suitable legs I4 are secured. Resting upon the marginal rib I2 isa tank or casing I5, preferably made up of vitreous enamelled steel,having adjacent its upper edge an offset or corrugation providing anannularshoulder I6, while the upper edge of the tank or casing I5 isprovided with a roled bead I1, and the casing It is provided with asuitable outlet, not shown. The tank or casing l5 is held in operativeposition by means of a sleeve I8 centrally disposed with respectthereto, having an annular flange I9 upon which the outer surface of thebottom of the tank I5 bears, and being threaded for the reception of anut bearing upon the upper surface of the bottom r wall of the tank I5,a washer 2| being interposed between the nut 20 and the bottom of thetank to render the connection liquid tight. l The lower end of thesleeve I8 below the flange I9, extends through an opening 22 in the webI I of the frame and is threaded into a boss 23 forming part of ahousing 24, housing the driving mechanism hereinafter referred to, saidhousing being detachably secured as a unit to the web II of thesupporting frame by screw bolts 25.

The sleeve I8 extends centrally upward within the tank I5, and atitsupper end is provided with a bearing member 26 having an annular groovefor the accommodation of ball bearings 21, and resting upon the ballbearings 21 is a bearing member 28 forming part of a hub 29 secured at30 to the bottom wall of the casing or container 3I. 'I'he casing 3| hasan imperforate upwardly tapered annular portion 32, and a ring-likemember 33 having a curved wall terminating in an upper rolled edge 34,and the body portion of the ring provided with perforations 35, the ring33 and imperforate portion 32 being secured together by a joint 36. Thecontainer 3| is thus mounted for rotation, and supported for rotation bythe sleeve I8.

Extending through the sleeve I8 is a driving member 31, said memberbeing rotatable within said sleeve, and shiftable longitudinally withrespect to said sleeve. Attached to the upper end of the driving member31 is an agitator having blades 38 and a hub 39 splined upon the splineportion 40 of the driving member 31, said agitator 38 being shiftablelongitudinally with reference to the end of the driving member 31 butnon-rotatable with respect thereto. 'I'he agitator 38 is secured to thedriving member 31 by means o f a pin 4l threadedinto the upper endthereof, extending through a cap 42 threadediy connected to the hub 39of the agitator 38, the pin 4| having a head 43, adapted to bear upon aspring 44 interposed between the head 43 of the pin and the top wall ofthe cap 42.

The hub 39 of the agitator is provided with a conical clutch member 45adapted to cooperate with a conical clutch member 46 carried by the hub29 secured to the container 3|, the clutch surfaces being lined with anysuitable material,` preferably brake lining as indicated at 41.

At its lower end, and within the housing 24, the driving member 31 haspinned thereto a tapered driving element 48 having an exterior frictionlining 49, carrying thereon a helical gear 58, the latter beingfrictionally driven by the member 48, and an adjustable member isprovided having spring fingers 5| bearing upon the gear 58 to urge thesame into engagement with the friction lining of the driving element 48,at the same time providing for relative movement upon overload. Beneaththe driving element 48 on the driving member 31 is placed a collar 52,held in position by a washer and nut indicated at 53. The collar 52 isprovided with laterally extending pins 54 engaged by slotted furcations55 forming part of the bell `crank arm 56, adapted to be shifted by thelever 51, the latter being held in any one of three positions 58 and 59of a bracket 68 carried by the side-wall of the casing I5, the position59 being defined by a groove permitting some movement of the lever 51,for a purpose hereinafter referred to.

lThe gear 58 is adapted to be engaged with different types of drivingmechanism, depending upon its relative position. In its uppermostposition the gear 58 is engaged with an oscillating rack 6I pivotallymounted as at 62,- connected by a link 63 with a worm gear 64 constantlydriven by a worm carried by the shaft 66 and driven by the motor 61.Thus oscillating motion is imparted to the driving member 31, thismotion being transmitted through the spline connection with the agitator38, the container 3| remaining in stationary condition or substantiallyso. When the shaft 31 is shifted downwardly by movement of the lever 51to the stop 59 of the bracket 68the gear 58 comes into engagement with aconstantly driven worm gear 68 fixed upon the shaft 86. When the drivingmember 31 is shifted into this position, as shown in Figure 1, thespring 44 is compressed and the agitator 38 pressed downwardly to bringabout clutching engagement between the clutch member 45 of the agitatorand the clutch member 46 of the container 3|, thereby bringing aboutrotation of the container 3| and rotation of the agitator 38 in unisontherewith. i

Due to the weight of the container 3| and its contents it may bedesirable upon starting to press the lever 51 in a direction to furtherlower the driving member 31 and more firmly press the clutch members 45and 46 into engagement, this being permitted through providing room formovement of the lever 51 with respect to the position 59 of the bracket68. When the lever 51 is engaged with the central position on thebracket 68, the gear 58 is placed in neutral position between the rack6| and the gear 68 as will be understood.

As before stated it is desirable to use a casing' the machine, I providea hood or shield 69 in the form of an annular ring-like member having acurved wall defining an opening 18 adapted to be closed by cover 1I. Thelower end of the hood or shield 69 is telescopically engaged with theupper edges of the casing I5 and rests upon the annular shoulder I6 ofsaid casing, but is readily detachable when desired. The hood or shield69 as thus provided catches any liquid escaping from the container 3|and such liquid, running down the inner wall of the hood or shield 69 iscollected in an annular trough 12 which may be secured to the loweredges of the hood or shield 69, and the hood or shield provided with adrainage spout 13 for carrying away the collected liquid. Thus the hoodor shield 69, and the trough 12 take care of the escaping liquid, and ifdesired may be readily detached as a unit from the machine.

In use, soapy water and clothing are introduced into the container 3|,and the lever 51 is then placed in position to engage the gear 58 withthe rack 6|, bringing about oscillation of the driving member 31, and ofthe agitator 38. When the fabrics have been washed the lever 51 isplaced into position 59, bringing about engagement of the gear 58 withthe gear 68, and also shifting the driving member 31 so as to bring theclutch parts 45 and 46 into driving engagement, resulting in rotation ofthe driving member 31, the agitator 38, and the container 3|, all inunison. During the rapid rotation of the container 3| liquid escapingtherefrom will impinge against the inner wall of the hood 69, run downthis wall and be collected in the trough 12, being then carried awaythrough the spout 13 to which a hose may be connected, or if desired avalve employed, these expedients not being shown, but being wellunderstood by those familiar with such machines. If at the beginning ofthe engagement between the clutch mem, bers 45 and 46, they do not gripwith sufl'icient force to clutch the parts properly together, the lever51 may be manipulated to lower the driving member 31 still more toeffect a tighter vengagement between the clutch members 45 and 48. Byreason of the provision of the helical driving gears 58, the tendency ofthe drive upon overload is to force the driving member 31 upwardly andthereby disengage the friction clutch as provided by the clutch parts 45and 46. The driving mechanism may be readily placed in neutral positionby shifting the lever 51 to its position 58 with respect to the bracket68, thus disposing the gear 58 midway between the rack 6| and the gear68, as will be understood.

During the drying operation practically all of the fluid in thecontainer 3| is thrown off against the shield 69, fills the trough 12,and the spout 13 being stopped off by lifting the hose connectedthereto, the trough overiiows and the fiuid enters the storage tank I5.Rinsing water is then introduced into the container3| and the operationrepeated, the rinse water entering the trough 12, and the spout 13 beingthen unobstructed through dropping the hose connected therewith, therinse water is carried from the trough exteriorly of the casing I5. Upona subsequent washing' operation the soapy Water is withdrawn from thestorage tank I5 and reintroduced into the container 3|.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6 a somewhat different embodiment of thetrough means for carrying away escaping liquid is provided. As shown thecasing 14 and hood or shield 15,

correspond generally to the casing il and hood or shield $9respectively. The trough member 1! however is not attached to the shieldmember 15, but rests upon the shoulder 11 of the casing 14, beingrevolvably supported upon said shoulder and provided with a drainageopening 18 adapted to discharge any liquid collected within the troughmember 16. Due to the mobility of the trough 16, the drainage opening 18may be disposed in line with a cup 1! carried by the casing 14 andopening into a pipe I0 which will carry away the drainage liquid.However if it is desired to return the drainage liquid to the casing 14,the trough member 16 is revolved sufiiciently to move the drainageopening 1I out of line with the cup 19, and thus return the drainageliquid to the interior of the casing 14. 'Ihe trough member 16 may beactuated through manipulation of a pin 8l extending through a suitableslot in the casing 14, and held in position by a Wingnut B2 threadedupon the pin.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit of said invention and it will furtherbe understood that the embodiments herein described are illustrativeonly and in the invention not limited thereto.

What I claim is:

' l. A washing and drying machine comprising: a rotatable container andan agitator therein, means operable at different times'to rotate andoscillate said agitator, said means operating through the bottom of saidcontainer, the top of said container being open and free fromobstructions, and means for driving said container through connectionwith said agitator when the latter is rotated.

2. A washing machine comprising: a rotatable container and an agitatortherein, means operable at different times to rotate and oscillate saidagitor, said means operating through the bottom of said container, thetop of said container being open and free from obstructions, and afriction clutch -for operatively connecting said agitator and saidcontainer whereby said container is operated by said agitator.

3. A washing machine comprising: a rotatable container and an agitatortherein, power-driving means including an oscillating element and arotating element, Ameans for connecting said elements selectively tosaid agitator in operating relation, said means operating through thebottom of said container, the top of said container being open and freefrom obstructions, and means for detachably connecting said agitator tosaid container.

4. A washing machine comprising: a rotatable container and an agitatortherein, means operable at diierent times to rotate and oscillate saidagitator, said means operating through the bottom of said container, thetop of said container being open and free from obstructions, a frictionclutch for driving said container through connection with said agitator,and means for manually applying pressure to said clutch to effect tightinitial engagement thereof.

.5. A washing machine comprising: a rotatable container and an agitatortherein, driving means operable at different times to rotate andoscillate said agitator, and means for rotating said container throughconnection with said agitator, said driving means comprisingintermeshing helical gears, a friction clutch having one elementrotatably and axially movable with one of said helical gears, and meansyieldingly forcing the elements of said friction clutch together, thedirection of slope of the gear teeth being such as to tend to separatesaid clutch members when overload is encountered.

6. In a washing machine, the combination of a casing. a rotatablecontainer within said casing. an agitator for washing fabrics withinsaid container, a vertically shiftable driving member extending intosaid container, means operable when said member is in raised position todrive said agitator relatively to said container, means operable whensaid member is in lowered position to drive said agitator and saidcontainer together, means independent of said member for supporting saidcontainer means for actuating said driving member, and means for raisingand lowering said driving member.

7. In a washing machine, the combination of a casing, a rotatablecontainer within said casing, an agitator for washing fabrics withinsaid container, a vertically shiftable driving shaft extending into saidcontainer, means operable when said shaft is in raised position to drivesaid agitator relatively to said container, means operable when saidshaft is in 'lowered position to drive said container. means independentof said shaft for \supporting said container, an oscillating element towhich said driving shaft is operatively connected in said firstmentioned position, and a rotating element to which said driving shaftis operatively connected when in said second mentioned position.

8. In a washing machine, the combination of a casing, a rotatablecontainer open-topped arranged within said casing, an agitator forwashing fabrics within said container, a shiftable driving memberextending through the bottom of said container and connected with saidagitator, driving means, operable at different times, for rotating andoscillating said driving member, clutch means for driving said containerthrough connection with said agitator when the latter is rotated, andmeans independent of said driving member for supporting said containerduring its operative movement.

9. In a laundry machine, the combinationl of a casing, a rotatablecontainer arranged within said casing, a vertical driving shaftextending into said casing, clutch means operatively connecting saidcontainer to said shaft in driving relation when the latter is rotatedwith said container, driving means for rotating said driving shaft, andmeans independent of said driving member for supporting said containerduring its operative movement; said driving means comprising a helicalgear carried by said vertical driving shaft and a second helical gearmeshing therewith in operating relation, the slant of the gear teethbeing such as to shift said vertical driving shaft when overload isencountered and thereby disconnect said clutch means.

10; In a laundry machine, the combination of a casing, a rotatablecontainer and an agitator therein, a driving member extending into saidcontainer and operable to drive said container and element, said drivingmember being vertically shif table, and means for connecting saidcontainer with said driving member when the latter is shifted to a lowerposition and disconnecting said container with reference to said drivingmember when the latter is elevated.

11. In a washing machine, the combination of a casing, a rotatablecontainer therein, an agitator inside said container, a driving memberextending into said container and operable to drive said agitator, saiddriving member being vertically shiftable, and friction-clutch means forconnect-Y ing said container with said driving member when the latter isshifted downwardly and disconnecting said clutch means with reference tosaid driving member when the latter is shifted upwardly.

12. A laundry machine comprising, a casing, a vertical shaft supportedtherein for rotational and axial movement, a container inside saidcasing coaxial with said shaft and having an apertured side wall, anagitator-blade inside said container, an oscillating element and arotating element located at different heights along said shaft, -therotating element being located at a lower level than the oscillatingelement, means for operating said elements, connections from said shaftto said blade and container, and means for raising and lowering saidshaft to connect it in driven relation to said oscillating-element androtating-element selectively whereby said blade is oscillated when saidshaft is raised and whereby said container is rotated when said shaft islowered.

13. In a laundry machine, a casing having a vertical bearing in itsbottom, a container in said casing coaxial with said bearing and adaptedto hold fabrics to be washed, a blade in said container adapted toproduce washing action when oscillated, a rotating-element and anoscillatingelement located beneath said casing at different heights, therotating-element being' located at a lower level than theoscillating-element, and means including a rotatable and slidablevertical shaft .traversing said bearing for connecting said oscillatingelement operatively to said vane when said shaft is raised and forconnecting said rotating element operatively to said container when saidshaft is lowered.

14. A laundry machine comprising: an upright casing circular inhorizontal section and having an internal annular shoulder spaced belowits upper margin, a centrifugal container for fabrics mounted upon avertical axis insidev said casing and projecting above the upper marginthereof, said container having liquid-discharge apertures in its sidewall, and an annular shield fitting inside said casing and with itsbottom edge resting on said shoulder, the upper part of said shieldbeing inclined inwardly and downwardly and overlying and surrounding theupper part of said container in shielding relation, said shield havingthe double function of a safety guard for said container and a deectorfor the liquid discharged therefrom and said internal annular shoulderhaving the triple function of a support for said shield, a stiffeningand reinforcing member for said casing and a splash ring for the liquidcontents of said casing.

15. A laundry machine comprising: an upright casing, a rotatablecontainer supported inside said casing upon a vertical shaft and havingliquiddischarge apertures in its side wall, said container being spacedsufficiently above the bottom of the casing to accommodate therebeneaththe entire liquid contents of said container, and said containerprojecting sulciently above the side walls of said casing to expose saidapertures, an annular trough surrounding said container and removablysupported by said casing, said trough being located below saidapertures, and an annular safety shield surrounding theprojecting'porton of said container in a position to catch the liquiddischarged from said container and deflect it into said trough, saidshieldbeing separate both from said trough and from said casing andhaving its upper part inclined inwardly and downwardly to overlie andsurround the upper part of said container.

16. A machine comprising: an upright casing having an annular internalreinforcing shoulder integrally formed in the casing side wall below itsupper margin, an annular trough fitting into the top of said casing withits bottom edge movably resting on said shoulder, a container forfabrics rotatably mounted on a vertical axis inside said container andhaving side walls projecting above the ymargin of said casing-wall, saidcontainer being formed with liquid-discharge apertures above the top ofsaid trough, and a safety shield fitting inside said casing andembracing said container and having its upper margin tapered inwardly tooverlie the top of said .container in protecting and liquid-deflectingrelation.

17. In a washing machine, the combination of a casing, a container insaid casing having an agitating element therein, a vertical drivingmember extending through the bottom of said casing, two trains ofgearing beneath said casing and adapted to impart to said driving memberoscillating and rotating motion selectively, manually operable means forshifting said driving member vertically, and means for connecting saiddriving member to said container when said member occupies its lowerposition and disconnecting it from said container when it occupies itselevated position.

18. In a washing machine, the combination of a casing, a container insaid casing having an agitating element therein, a vertical drivingmember extending through the bottom of said casing, two trains ofgearing beneath said casing, one adapted to produce oscillating motionand the other to produce rotating motion, manually oper- .able means forshifting said driving member vertically, means operative when saidmember occupies its elevated position for disconnecting it from saidcontainer and for connectingit to that train of gearing which producesoscillating motion, and means operative when said member occupies itsdepressed position for connecting it to said container and also to thattrain of gearing which produces rotating motion.

19. In a laundry machine in combination, a casing,lanextractor-container journaled in said casing upon a vertical axis, saidcontainer having upwardly-haring walls terminating in aninwardly-turned' top part with perforations at the point of greatestdiameter located above the level of the top of the casing-wall, and aremovable top member for said casing having a part adapted to ilt insidethe casing-wall and a part adapted to t on the casing-wall, and aninwardly and downwardly projecting part defining an aperture registeringwith the opening defined by the margin of the top part of saidextractor-container and arranged to surround the top part oi' saidextractor-#container and prevent access to the exterior of the latterduring its rotation.

20. In a washing machine, a rotary clothes basket. an'agitator centeredtherein, a vertical driven shaft with which the agitator has relativelyslidable driving engagement, means to exert a. downward pressure on theagitator, and cooperating and constantly contacting friction surfaces onthe agitator and basket arranged, when such pressure on the agitator isexerted, to cause the basket to be clamped to the agitator to rotatetherewith.

` JAMES B. may.

CERTIFICATE or conREcrloN.

Patent No. 2,001,965. May 21, 1935.

` JAMES n. KIRBY.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationoi the above numbered patent requiring correction as folows: Page 3,second column, line 15, claim 6, after "container"nsert a comma; page 4,second column, line 3, claim 15, after the syllable "tainer" and beforethe period insert the words in shielding relation; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that thesame may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of July, A. D. 1935.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting;r Commissioner of Patentsl

